Green Activities for Kids to Do Outside

Get up, Get out, and do things with kids. Children need to learn an appreciation for nature in order to grow up to be adults with an appreciation for our natural world. Here are a few things to do outside that are good for the kids, good for the environment or both.

The sound of the TV from the family room, the roaring sometimes startling noise of a video game, or the sound of annoyed children who have spent too much time together cooped up inside. Ah yes, the sounds of fall. And yet, it is a beautiful day outside, with shining sun and a gentle breeze carrying the leafy smells of autumn. But we are inside. Why? Will it remind me that I need to rake the leaves like my retired neighbor always seems to find the time to do? Or do I just not want to argue with “but I’m in the middle of a game!”, or “My show is on!” or, my personal favorite, “Its boring outside!” all said in that sing-song, whiny voice that is mastered at age five and repeated until old enough to leave the house. Boring? Nope, no way. I’ve learned to work around that little nugget. Here are some ideas for your own group, whether it is a class, an after school program or for your own children.

Scavenger hunt: This is a ton of fun in the fall, or any other time of year (though more challenging in the dead of winter). Make a list of things for the group to find-small groups, one group or individuals. They can be small items that can be collected in a bag like leaves, sticks and rocks or more complex for older kids-quartz, limestone, oak leaf. They can also be large things like street signs to be spotted and ticked off of a list. The more you do this one, the more complex and fun it can be. Have the kids help make the list so everyone can feel that their input matters. When you have collected everything it can also be fun to spend some time examining and talking about the items before returning them to the natural world in which they were found. If your kids enjoy a little competition, let the winner(s) choose what’s for snack or dessert at the next meal.

So many ball games, so little time. There is hardly a kid in the world who doesn’t want to play games with mom/dad/teacher. Whether it’s just a game of catch or a more organized game like soccer or flag football, having a favorite adult play with you is almost like Christmas when your seven. And let the kids win, at least part of the time. There is no honor is stuffing a basketball into the face of an eight year old. An adult is just taller, not necessarily better. Also, make sure rules are clearly defined, as well as a system of conflict resolution. My favorite way of settling a difference of opinion in a game is Rock/Paper/Scissors. Have the kids help decide the rules. Most children are fair to a fault and will think of things that wouldn’t occur to you. And if they decide on and agree on the rules they are more likely to follow them. Exercise outside is important for a life long love of the outdoors!

Go on a nature walk. Even in urban communities, Mother Nature has a presence. A park, a river trail, or just a neighborhood with a few green things. You can pick up a book about trees, bugs, birds, plants, etc. from your public library and see how many you can identify. Bring a bug catcher (an old pint jar with a lid with holes punched in it works just fine) for a more close-up look at the smallest in size but greatest in number of the animal world. A catch and release system can teach kids good observation skills, as well as a respect for the living world all around them. Older kids can bring along pen and paper to make sketches, leaf rubbings, or to write down observations. Make a collage of leaves and small items found on the walk. Endless possibilities in the boundless wonders of nature. Note: In deeply wooded areas or near water, adults should consider applying bug repellent of some sort to everyone along for the walk, particularly during warmer times of the year.

For the more civically minded of individuals, have a clean-up party. Go to a park or other public green space (even your own yard and neighborhood) with some trash bags and plastic gloves (always use the gloves-you never know if there will be something icky. I could tell you stories…). Have the kids (and adults-lead by example) pick up trash. Praise the children for their work, exclaim over the difference they have made with their efforts. Take a camera for before and after pictures. Give prizes for the most trash collected. If possible, plant flowers or a tree to “beautify” a space. Public schools are great spots for this, and administrators are often happy to have the help.

Okay, now that you have a few ideas on what to do outside, here are a few hints to get the kids out there successfully.

Accept no excuses. Shut off the electronics and show the alternatives. Sometimes a compromise is necessary, if reasonable. “Okay, finish this level of your game and then we go.” or “We can tape or record your show on TV, or it will be on again later.”

Set a time line and stick to it. If you are going to leave at one pm, leave at one pm. Give a 5 minute warning for pick up or to finish things. Let them save their work, like a puzzle or a Lego building, so that they can feel secure that they will be allowed to finish things.

All cell phones go off, including yours (unless you are constrained by rules of your job). What’s fair is fair, and as long as you have it with you for emergencies, remember you can return calls in an hour or two. Not the end of the world for anybody, and what is more important than time with the kids?

Have a clear cut plan with goals. For instance: “We are going to walk to X and back and on the way we will do Y.” or “We are going to play basketball until one team reaches 21. It will help the children relate and be involved in the activity if you let them assist in making the plan and goals. Let them ask questions and even help form plans. They will be more likely to accomplish goals that they helped set, just help them make those goals realistic.

These are just a few things to help entice your crew, large or small, into the great outdoors. Very little, other than time and the will to learn and accomplish need to be involved and the benefits of fresh air, sunlight, exercise, observation/science and good old fashioned human interaction that doesn’t involve any tiny buttons and “LOL, BFF” are well worth it. Enjoy!

Other articles by me:

• How to Make Walnut Ink
• Oh God: Conversations with Children About Religion in a Public School Setting
• Getting Kids in Touch: Texture Activities for the Young
• Dodgeball: The Game the Rules and Why Your Kid Wont Die If They Play It
• The Joy of a Little Garden